While we have fielded plenty of salmonids the size of firecrackers and many panfish and bass smaller than a playing card, the pompano represents a worthy winner in the world of trophy smolt action. Looking deceivingly like a permit, the pompano cruises the warm waters searching for hyper-focused flyfishermen searching for permit. The silvery knave then slams streamers many times their length, in their own twisted version of SMOTM.

Here, Liam Hancock and his dad Jeremy play right into this pompano’s plan along the beaches of Akumal, Mexico. For their determined efforts at outwitting a fish more appropriate for a dentist’s waiting room tank, the duo will recieve a fine pair of Smith’s top-shelf shades, a Patagonia gear pack, a one year subscription package to The Flyfish Journal and the bragging rights for days to come.

Congrats to the Hancock family. Smoltiers, get your shots in here now, we will be running a special SMOTM through the end of the year with the winner announced at the beginning of the new year along with 2010’s Smolt of the Year — an inspirational look back at the year in smolt.

Send all entries to questions@theflyfishjournal.com by midnight December 31 and we will pick a winner the following week.